Cleworth’s journey began as a fresh-faced 19-year-old studying wadaiko in Japan with Sen Amano of Yamanashi-ken and performing throughout the islands of Honshu and Shikoku with Amano’s ensemble, Arahan.

“The reason for going to Japan was quite simple in a way because my aunty and uncle were living in Tokyo and they were blown away by these drummers they’d seen,” Cleworth said.

“I was a percussion student at the time and wanted to travel and see the world and so it made sense to go to Japan.

“Being a kid of 19 at the time I was quite naive, and like a sponge because I didn’t know any different, and every day was a big adventure,” he said, reliving the exciting days as a foreign student of an ancient Japanese art form, dealing with new customs and a new language.

“Over the years I’ve been able to go deeper into the culture and the more you learn the more you realise you don’t know,” he said.

“So much of it was communicating through sound.

“The Japanese culture has millenniums of history behind it and Taiko comes from this rich culture.”

Cleworth’s interest in music stems from his mother’s musical passion and his seduction by groove during his childhood.

“I grew up with mum who was a pianist and I was always attracted to rhythm and sound,” Cleworth said.

“Over time I became a classical percussionist and a Taiko player, and as I’ve grown they’ve come together and both still drive me creatively.

So what drives Cleworth’s inspiration in his role as artistic director with the group?

“As a group we work together all the time, day in, day out, and my colleagues inspire me, as does nature and nature images.

“Sometimes it can also be mistakes that are made that trigger another idea.

“I’m inspired by drumming every day…and I went to see Herbie Hancock alongside Chick Corea on Monday night and that was very inspiring,” he added.

Cleworth has been artistic director of TaikOz since the group’s beginnings in 1997, becoming full-time with the group in 2005 having spent 20 years as principal percussionist with the Sydney Symphony and 16 years with percussion group Synergy.

With years of experience behind him, Cleworth’s thoughtfulness has also helped him develop as a person through his creativity.

“The music I’ve learnt has had a huge influence on me and made me think about the relevance of me as an artist in Australia.

“I’ve really had to look at music and its role in society and culture.”

The closeness to nature of the Four Winds site is the most ideal setting for traditional Japanese music, Cleworth said.

“That’s the natural environment for Taiko,” he said.

“We have a trio coming down for the workshops and performances, and we’ll be bringing down many hand-crafted instruments that are most at home in natural setting.”

“The person who makes our instruments is from a family that has been making them uninterrupted since 1609,” he said.

Cleworth is looking forward to showcasing the various instruments with the Bermagui crowd and also performing with former TaikOz member and founder of local percussion group Stonewave Taiko, David Hewitt for the first time in over 10 years. 

Full details of the weekend’s events and multiple activity/ticket packages can be found on the Four Winds website, www.fourwinds.com.au.